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Faith Exercise #1

           Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible… And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:1-3 & 6)

 

          Last night, I read part of The Christian in Complete Armour before turning out the light, and it was both a mistake and a good thing. It was a mistake because it kept me awake thinking. It was a good thing because what I was thinking was helpful and it gave me something to think about when I couldn’t fall asleep. The subject was faith, of course, and we’ll get back to it when I reach it again in my blogs in general, but today I want to share about my response, rather than what the author said.

          I didn’t want to go into another “put faith on the table so I can see if I have any” stuff. Instead, I turned on the light and brainstormed. Granting that I don’t feel as if I have faith and all that rot, what would I want to have faith in, about, for – or whatever. If I were a faithful person, what would I have faith about, for, in, or whatever? In or for what should I exercise faith.

          Brainstorming means – there are no bad answers at the moment. Feel free to read through my list or just make your own.

 

Salvation              Physical Health     Mental Health       Emotional Health

Needs met             Comfort                Christ-likeness      Sanctification

Safety                   Maturity                Love                     Joy

Peace                    Patience                Kindness               Goodness

Faithfulness           Gentleness            Self-Control         Weight loss

Job                       Books sell             Courage                 Wisdom

Hope                    Strength                Endurance              Compassion

Writing                 Competence          Righteousness       Usefulness

Contentment         Positive influence  God-reliant           Self-reliant

Ankle heal            Back heal              God loves me        I have value

Good future          Friends                 That God is worth befriending

I have value          Neighbors saved   I can do all things through God…

Live within means. God rewards those who seek Him   Beauty part of my life

Long, pretty hair   Strong hair            Strong body          Positive influence

Learn to develop worlds, characters, and plots that provoke thought

Eat healthfully      Believe others matter and have value  Pray effectively     Recognize God’s voice           His presence manifested

 

          Yes, some are silly or trite. Most are selfish. I was trying to keep it close to home or personal. I was trying to keep it simple - the sort of thing someone just starting out in faith, who doesn’t have faith in her faith could use as practice. And when I finished the list, I prayed about how these could be organized, where I am to start, and other, similar “What am I supposed to do now?” prayers. So far, the only organizing I’ve done is to try to put the shorter phrases at the top.

          But now it’s all yours. What would you list? 

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